After weeks of suspense, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article reveals key moments from Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through all suspense.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

Before long, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they comforted him. "It's all right."

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated another, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have appeared to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate someone who is so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would be successful again!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to over an hour on the network. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, the comedian gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I began the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Following this was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved destroying portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who was hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated a player, while their partner just giggled.

However, one did stick to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," wrote another user.

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on this departure. Before long, the game reached the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls the other as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players were still competing: the final trio.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," the winner said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.